BubbleStream

Antonio Commisso

Silent Partner

Synopsis

A murder mystery that is woven through one man’s struggle to find his way. Frank D’Antonio wants to make his own mark in life without his name as help. However, his father’s death forces him to join his brothers to save the family business. After twelve years of dedicated work, his brothers conspire to sell out. Now he is confused, angry, and totally unsure of his future. He moves away to escape for a while and changes his name. Under this new identity he takes an average job in a hotel once owned by his family and starts a new life.

Author Biography

Author Insight

Back Room Politics

I've been in the hospitality business my whole life. I consider myself a very lucky man to have seen the things I've seen and heard the things I've heard. It's amazing what people will say and do out of weakness, when they are sitting at a bar, 'out of town' on business. They are usually drowning away their sorrows and loneliness in the bottom of an empty glass. In a way, I become their 'Silent Partner' for just one night. We talk about their problems. I offer them suggestions and solutions, then they stammer off to bed or the next barstool, or sometimes the next city. For them it was a comforting couple of hours to get a few things off their chest. For me, it's just another day on the job.

Book Excerpt

Silent Partner

The convention's coming up and we're gonna be busy as hell. The governor's supposed to be here with some Colombian big shots."

"How do you know all this?"

"Christ, don't you read the papers? They've been talking about it for a while now. And get this," he turned his chin to my shoulder. "Rumor has it they're here to negotiate some big deal between Colombia, Florida, and the feds. Something to do with drug traffic coming into Miami."

"Well, I wish them luck. They've been trying to stop that shit coming into Miami for years. I don't know if it will ever happen."

The conversation changed to small talk. The hours passed and beers flowed. By two o'clock, only a few customers remained. We were both feeling the brew. With a Marlins mug in hand, John suddenly rotated his stool and faced me, eyes puffy and moist.

"Jimmy, what the hell are you doing here? I don't mean here in this joint. I mean here, doing what you're doing."

"What do you mean?"

"There's something about you, I can tell. I'm not stupid. You don't belong here. You're different. And let me tell you, I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Different? How am I different? What are you talking about, John?"

"I mean, just the way you act. It's not like everybody else."

"Not like everybody else! How do I act different?"

"I don't know, Jimmy, you seem more polite or proper or something. Sometimes I feel like I should be waiting on you instead of working with you."

"Well, I tell you what, John. The next time we work together, you can set up my bar for me, okay?" We both laughed. "I'm just doing my job, working like everybody else."